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Using the comma rule in adverbial complex sentences
You can use the comma rule to write accurate adverbial complex sentences.
Lesson 6 of 8
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- Year 3
Using the comma rule in adverbial complex sentences
You can use the comma rule to write accurate adverbial complex sentences.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The position of an adverbial subordinate clause can move in an adverbial complex sentence.
- If the adverbial clause comes first in the sentence, it is followed by a comma to demarcate from the main clause.
- If the main clause comes first in the sentence, there is no comma used.
- A comma is a punctuation mark that has more than one purpose.
- Commas often help the reader see clause demarcation in a range of sentence types.
Keywords
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Common misconception
Pupils do not know when to use a comma to demarcate between the adverbial and main clause.
If the adverbial clause is first in the sentence, a comma is placed after it. If the main clause is first, no comma is placed after it.
Use a gesture to model the comma, for example a curved hand slicing downwards through the air.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where can an adverbial clause appear in a sentence?
Where can an adverbial clause appear in a sentence?
only at the end
only at the beginning
Q2.Fill in the gap: an adverbial clause only makes sense if it is joined to a clause.
Fill in the gap: an adverbial clause only makes sense if it is joined to a clause.
Q3.What starts an adverbial clause?
What starts an adverbial clause?
a co-ordinating conjunction
a preposition
Q4.Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
my your our
her his their
and but or
Q5.Fill in the gap: commas can separate words or __________ in sentences.
Fill in the gap: commas can separate words or __________ in sentences.
punctuation
capital letters
Q6.When does an adverbial complex sentence need a comma?
When does an adverbial complex sentence need a comma?
it never requires one
when the adverbial clause is at the end
it always requires one
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Fill in the gap: any clause is a group of words that contains a .
Fill in the gap: any clause is a group of words that contains a .
Q2.Which clause starts with a subordinating conjunction?
Which clause starts with a subordinating conjunction?
main
relative
Q3.Fill in the gap: to form a complex sentence, you must join a main clause to any type of clause.
Fill in the gap: to form a complex sentence, you must join a main clause to any type of clause.
Q4.Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
Which of these groups are subordinating conjunctions?
and but or
mine yours theirs
I me my
Q5.Match the subordinating conjunction to its purpose.
Match the subordinating conjunction to its purpose.
Q6.Fill in the gap: if the adverbial clause comes __________ in a complex sentence, a comma is placed after it ends and before the main clause begins.
Fill in the gap: if the adverbial clause comes __________ in a complex sentence, a comma is placed after it ends and before the main clause begins.
second
last
